Collaboration to Deliver Modular Electrification Solutions for Up to 15 Clean Energy Facilities
ABB and Charbone Hydrogen Corporation, a Montreal-based integrated green hydrogen producer, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop up to 15 modular, scalable green hydrogen production facilities across North America over the next five years. The partnership aims to provide clean fuel for heavy industries—such as steelmaking—that currently rely on carbon-intensive grey hydrogen, advancing decarbonization efforts in key sectors.

ABB to Supply Critical Electrification Infrastructure

Under the agreement, ABB is named the preferred supplier for designing, engineering, fabricating, testing, and supplying modular electrical substations (eHouses) that connect Charbone’s production facilities to local utility grids. ABB will also support standardizing system and component engineering across Charbone’s portfolio to enhance energy efficiency and operational reliability. The collaboration could expand to include ABB as the lead contractor for automation, electrification, and telecom solutions, tailored to individual project needs.

Flagship Projects in Québec and Michigan Lead the Charge

The partnership will kick off with Charbone’s flagship facility in Sorel-Tracy, Québec—slated to connect to Hydro-Québec’s hydroelectric grid by Q2 2025. Powered by renewable hydroelectricity, the site will use green hydrogen electrolyzers and serve as a blueprint for modular equipment design across future projects. Next in the pipeline is a facility in the greater Detroit area, a hub for major automotive manufacturing, to support regional industrial decarbonization.
“This strategic collaboration with ABB sends a strong signal about our commitment to scaling green hydrogen in North America,” said Daniel Charette, Chief Operating Officer of Charbone Hydrogen Corporation. “With Sorel-Tracy moving rapidly to on-site activities and our plug-and-play modular approach enabling production to start in weeks, Charbone is poised to drive industrial decarbonization at scale.”

Aligning with Québec’s Green Energy Goals

The partnership supports the Québec government’s Green Hydrogen and Bioenergy Strategy, which targets reducing petroleum product consumption by nearly one billion liters annually by 2030. This would cut regional greenhouse gas emissions by four megatons of CO₂ per year—equivalent to removing 1.2 million gasoline-powered vehicles from roads.¹ Green hydrogen is identified as a key enabler for decarbonizing transportation, primary metals, and chemical sectors in the province.
“Green hydrogen is a cornerstone of the low-carbon energy transition, and we’re proud to partner with Charbone to scale its production across North America,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB Energy Industries. “This collaboration will empower industries to operate leaner, cleaner, and more sustainably as they accelerate their decarbonization journeys.”

Digital Monitoring to Optimize Production Efficiency

Beyond electrification infrastructure, Charbone will deploy ABB’s Extended Operator Workplace (EOW) system across all planned facilities, with a central operator workplace at its headquarters to monitor operations. These EOWs—among the first installed in North American green hydrogen plants—will enable 24/7 remote and local monitoring, boosting production efficiency and minimizing downtime.

Growing Demand for Low-Emissions Hydrogen

Global hydrogen demand reached 97 megatons (Mt) in 2023, primarily in refining and chemicals, with a 2.5% year-on-year increase. While low-emissions hydrogen production remains under 1 Mt today, announced projects could drive output to 49 Mt per annum by 2030, highlighting the critical role of partnerships like ABB and Charbone in scaling this clean energy source.²
¹ Source: Gouvernement du Québec’s Green Hydrogen and Bioenergy Strategy
² Source: Industry projections for low-emissions hydrogen production